I recently bought a Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .308 with a 24" barrel, and after one trip to the range to break in the barrel, zero the sights and shoot my first group (1.25 inch with Rem CoreLokt) I have been happy with it. It is accurate, well made and the trigger is wonderful (but then I am partial to two stage triggers). Since I hunt in the hilly woods of Western PA in stands and on the ground, the only things I do not like about it are 1. it is heavy and 2. it does not have a detachable magazine. I bought it for $425.

Today while buying ammo at Dick's Sporting goods I handled a Savage package rifle in .308 with a synthetic stock, detachable magazine, 22" barrel and Nikon scope for $549. I think it also had an Accutrigger, but they do not remove the trigger guard for customers at Dick's. Though in the past I did not like the feel of Savage rifles, this one fit perfectly. It is obvious that Savage is working to improve the aesthetics of their rifles with a clean locking nut on the barrel and bolt release relocated to the front of the trigger guard.

Sooooooo, I had a pang of buyer's remorse. I just bought a well made, accurate .308, but for climbing into stands and making quick shots in the woods a lighter rifle, with a shorter barrel and detachable magazine would be perfect. Some time in the future I could always have a gunsmith cut down the Vanguard's barrel and Legacy sports sells a detachable mag kit that fits it (although it won't be flush). While I could easily afford it, I cannot justify two .308 rifles for the same purpose. Also, I just spent two hours at the range to break in the Vanguard, and it has the best trigger I have ever felt.

A few years ago I purchased a Savage 10FP Law Enforcement .308. it's an absolute tack driver!!! At the time I was leaning towards the Remington 700 Police .308 so I started to do my homework on both guns. It took me a few weeks of reading & talking to shooter's who owned both rifles & I decided to go with the Savage & I have no regrets. If you have regrets you could always trade the Weatherby in for a Savage but I love my 10FP it's a hell of a precision instrument.

__________________"Better to fight for something than live for nothing."-General George S. Patton"He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and "if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buyone.'' Luke 22:36

I like Vanguards also, but they are noticeably heavier than Remington 700s and comparable Savage rifles.

Because I've had 700s for so many years and like the way the stocks fit me, I'll continue to buy them, but am impressed with Tikka T3-Lites for carrying and ergonomics. They've gone up in price in the past few years, however.

I probably can't justify half the guns in my safe. But I don't feel I HAVE to justify them. I like them and that's all that needs to be said. If you like the Savage, buy it. Keep the Vanguard as a backup.

For a quick handling rifle, Savage makes a nice Scout model...they market it as a LE rifle...but sounds like it might fit your needs. And since it's a bit more "different", might be the excuse you seem to be looking for to buy a Savage...
Ghost ring sights, LER, or traditional scope mounting.

You got a good deal on that S2, The rifle is heavier because the barrel is a little fatter than most rifles. Also you will come to appreciated the blind magazine, the one in mine works flawlessly and is very smooth and guess what,,, nothing to fall out of your rifle and scare that buck dude...

I probably can't justify half the guns in my safe. But I don't feel I HAVE to justify them. I like them and that's all that needs to be said.

Same here. If the question was "want vs need", I'd have stopped accumulating (long) guns after I got my Remington Model 760, chambered in 30-06, my Marlin Model 39, chambered in .22rf and my Ithaca Model 37, chambered in 12 gauge, fifty years ago. But what would have been the fun in that?

__________________
ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED
...Aristotle
NRA Benefactor Life Member

Justify having 2 guns in the same caliber????? I have had several 223 bolt guns at one time, and I didn't feel redundant. I practice practice practice. I don't just practice with with a 22 lr, I shoot what I hunt with. There is no such thing as having too many guns period.

Well I always figure that's what my FAMILY is for. And I mean extended family. What if my uncle or aunt or my wife's cousin or my son-in-law's cousin showed up? What would THEY shoot? You could say it's all about being a polite and considerate host.

And what about when I pass? Are some of my kids and grand kids and great grand kids going to get NO guns just because the old guy didn't buy enough when he could? Well that's just sad.

(I figure when I have to work hard to justify a purchase I'll just enjoy it that much more.)

Not enough to worry about IMO. The Weatherby is a fine, fine gun and indeed has a fine trigger. As far as weight, I personally don't fret about hunting rifles...I suppose lugging a M60 would get tiring, but honestly, a bolt action rifle is no biggie and a longer barrel improves ballistics.

My advice is to keep the Vanguard and be happy. Use it for several years. If you think you'd like another rifle years down the road, you can always sell it and buy something else. That's the nice thing about guns; they don't lose a lot of their value over time.

In the future, if you want a light accurate rifle that is also a good value you can't do much better than a Tikka T3 Lite.

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